Box Score
CALGARY - In their final game before the holiday break, the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns scored four unanswered goals to defeat the University of Calgary Dinos 4-3 in overtime, Saturday night at Father David Bauer Arena.
The win improves the Pronghorns record to 6-9-1-0 and a fifth place tie with the Mount Royal Cougars. The Dinos fall to 7-5-3-1.
"I can't explain how proud I am of these guys, we had nine forwards and five defenceman for two games and they just never quit," said Pronghorn head coach Spiros Anastas. "We've recovered from a poor start and battled some adversity, I think that we'll be ready to make an impact in the second semester."
This may be the proudest I've been of this team since being the Head Coach."
After dropping a 4-1 decision to the Pronghorns the previous night in Lethbridge, the Dinos were looking to salvage a series split on the back end of this home-and-home series. The Dinos got off to a blistering start, scoring three goals within the first 21 minutes of the game, but were unable to generate much significant offense for the remainder of the game. In fact, the Dinos managed only 11 shots after starting the game with 21 shots and three goals.
The Dinos came out in the opening minutes of looking re-energized, as they pressured the Pronghorns with a heavy fore-check. The hard-nosed play by the Dinos would pay off just eight minutes in the period as third-year forward Mitch Cook would score his third goal of the season. After an outstanding feed from Coda Gordon behind the Pronghorns net, Cook would fire a perfect snapshot above the glove of goalie Garret Hughson.
The Dinos would continue the relentless pressure, resulting in Robbie Fisher's second goal of the year just six-minutes later. After a determined effort by Logan Fisher in the neutral zone freed the puck to Mitch Cook, the Dinos broke free on a partial 2-on-1 break. Cook would slide the puck over to Robbie Fisher who made no mistake with the tap in.
After outshooting Lethbridge twenty to five in the first frame, the Dinos added to their lead just a minute into the middle stanza Kelowna native Mitch Cook would score his second goal of the game. Following a scramble in front of the Dinos net, Dylan Busenius would find a streaking Cook with a perfect stretch pass off the boards to set up a breakaway chance. Cook would go to the backhand and slide the puck five-hole, fooling Pronghorns goalie Garret Hughson.
The Pronghorns were finally able to find an answer for the Dinos speed and intensity four minutes after the Dinos' third goal. Fourth-year winger Connor Sanvido fired a snapshot past Dinos rookie netminder Jordan Papirny to pull the 'Horns within two. The remainder of the period was largely uneventful, as both teams managed to muster only 11 shots in the period (six by the Horns, and five by the Dinos).
Holding a comfortable 3-1 lead against the 'Horns after 40 minutes, the Dinos seemed to be in prime position to split the weekend series. However, a disastrous start to the period saw Lethbridge score just 24-second in, on a rebound tap in by Sam McKechnie. The Dinos had previously had a 13 game unbeaten streak against Lethbridge at home, at Father David Bauer arena. 10 minutes later, the streak was seemingly in jeopardy as Mitchell Maxwell tied the game 3-3.
In overtime, the Pronghorns capitalized on the Dinos' breakdown as Connor Sanvido scored his second goal of the game to lift the 'Horns to a series sweep, and fifth-place tie with Mount Royal in the standings.
Both teams will enjoy their holidays and New Year before returning to action, at home, January 5-6. The Dinos will host the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, while the Pronghorns will host the University of Saskatchewan Huskies.
